46th Annual Chloride Old Miner’s Day set for Oct. 15

CHLORIDE – On Saturday, Oct. 15, community of Chloride, believed to be Arizona’s oldest inhabited historical mining town, celebrates its 46th annual celebration of Old Miners’ Day.
This unique 1860’s silver mining camp in northwestern Arizona honors the hard rock miners who worked the more than 70 mines just east of Chloride in the Cerbat Mountains, looking for silver, gold, zinc, copper and turquoise.
Chloride, Arizona’s oldest mining townsite, is located 25 miles north of Kingman, and 80 miles south of Las Vegas. Take Highway 93 to State Route 125, watch for the official Arizona Visitor Center sign. Chloride is located four miles east of Highway 93.
Celebrating begins at 9 a.m. when the bake sale opens at the corner of Tennessee and Second Street. After attending the bake sale, visitors can visit the Mineshaft Market, just up the street to checkout the vendors and listen to live music on the porch. At 11 a.m. the High Desert Drifters perform Wild West mock gunfights in the Historical Society’s Cyanide Springs on Elkhart Avenue.
At 10 a.m. the Horseshoe Tournament begins at the county park on Second Street. Anyone interested in participating in the tournament should contact Lathan at (425) 691-3857 for advance sign-up. Yesterday’s Saloon and Steakhouse is sponsoring the event.
Round about “High Noon” the ever-zany Old Miners’ Day parade travels down Tennessee Avenue. “This year we are honored to have the famous artist Roy Purcell as our Grand Marshal. Among his many known murals, Roy painted the world-famous Chloride mural, “The Journey’” in 1966. This year’s parade entries include antique and custom cars, floats, marching units, Shriners, animals, gunfighters, equestrians, Chloride’s VFW Post 2190, motorcycles, and other big surprises. It’s not too late to enter the parade, just stop by the Chloride Town Hall on Payroll Avenue between 9:30 and 11 a.m. day of the parade for late sign-up.
At 1 p.m. the High Desert Drifters gunfight troupe will again have a shoot-out at Cyanide Springs immediately followed by a demonstration by Wayward Archery. While you’re there stop by the Jim Fritz Museum and the Silver Belle Playhouse. Both are full of memorabilia from Chloride glory days. If you’re interested in panning for gold, stop by The Mohave Prospectors booth. Next door you can learn more about the Arizona ore at the Mohave Rock and Gem Club booth. Right across the way, Wayward Archery has a booth where you can sign up for an archery lesson.
At 2:30 p.m., at the Town Hall on Payroll Avenue, parade awards and raffle prizes will be given out. This year’s prizes include an autographed book about Roy Purcell, gift certificates, hats, hotel stays, food certificates, pocketknives, signs, and so much more.
World-famous Roy Purcell’s murals can be viewed about one mile east of town. Stop by the Mineshaft Market for directions and road conditions. Visitors who are hungry can stop by Yesterdays Saloon and Steakhouse on Second Street offers an assortment of food delights. Food is also available at participating food vendors. There’s a variety of unique shops throughout Chloride. And for history buffs, a stroll through town takes them to the old jail, train station, gas stations and lots of metal artwork in resident’s yards.
For information, please call (626) 483-4571 or contact this email address: chloridechamber@gmail.com. Or, interested parties may contact the Chloride Special Events Committee by calling (626) 483-4571.